Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1887-03-09
AN INTERVIEW WITH NEELY.

Jail of Chester to that OF Rlchland, report
er for the Columbia Register called on him
in the Columbia jail for the purpose OF CIV
ing him an opportunity to make any state
ment of his side of the case that he might
see proper to give for publication. The
Register of Friday contains the following as
the result of the interview:
Pausing at the iron grating which closes
the passage leading to the cells, the Jallor
called out, "Mr. Neely."
In response to the call, the person ad-
dressed came out of the third cell from the
door and came forward to the doorway,
while his fellow prisoners clustered at re-
spectful distance to learn the object OF the
visitation.
The person against whom this grave
charge is brought is certainly one of the
last in personal appearance to suggest any
thing of the kind.
Of spare build and more than ordinary
height, his head reached almost to the top
of the grating. He has pleasant face, part
ly covered by heavy black side .Whiskers,
streaked with gray, and pair of dark gray
eyes, that are able to look one straight in
the face.
He was neatly clad in business suit,
and, but for tumbled hair and slight pale
ness, showed no outward signs of the per-
ilous position in which he finds himself
placed.
The reporter being introduced, stated the
reason of his visit not to be the qualification
of idle curiosity, but the affording of an op-
portunity to the prisoner, if he saw tit, to
have published some statements of his side
of the case.
He expressed his appreciation of the offer,
and appeared glad to see the reporter, but
stated that his counsel had instructed him
"not to talk"
He did, however, enter into conversation
with the newspaper man, occasionally
checking himself in the middle of a SEN
tence, when his lawyers injunction would
recur to his mind, with the remark, swell,
I am talking too much"
He said that he was innocent Of the charge
brought against him, and that the matter
was "a put up job"
II shall get out Of this" he said, "when
the trial comes. I can produce plenty of
throw light on the affair.""
II shall get out of here" he repeated, and
added with deep feeling, "but think of
my children. 1 have six little children
of my own-two little girls. Imagine a
mana white man-brought up, not like
dog or a brute, but like decent man
being guilty of such crime. Why, always
liked children, and they liked me-" and
he spoke of several families, and one in par
ticular, where he often visited, and the
children would climb over him and always
welcome his coming.
II shall get out,'' he said again, "but
I think of what my children may have to
meet with when their playmates, lin fit
of childish anger, can turn upon them and
say: Yes, your father was put in Jail once
for running his own little nece,'" and the
speakers voice faltered and his features
worked. GAS long as live I can protect
them from insult, but in years to come after
I am gone-I shall be 80 next August-it
makes me feel terribly to think what they
may have to endure"
"Why," he said again referring to the
inconsistency ofhis committing such a crime
as charged, "the child is only little thing.
won't weigh thirty pounds. The idea OF
my doing anything to harm her."
In further conversation he stated that the
proceedings at the preliminary hearing
were surprise to him.
II didn't know anything about law"
he said, "and supposed could question the
witnesses and have my family physician
brought up to see the child, but it seemed
it couldn't be so. Only one side was pre-
sented."
He said that one of the physicians had
stated at the hearing that the child's con-
dition might be the result of other things
than an assault. He said one thing the
truth had been told about. He was per-
fectly sober that morning. 1t was not true
that he had hurried off from the house and
acted anxious to get out of the village. He
was two hours there about his business,
trying to trade horses, and only left when
he had to go to see man he heard might
trade.
He expressed the wish that he had never
been brought away from Chester. He was
not afraid to stay there. Lynch me" he
said incredulously, 'they never would have
lynched me in Chester more than they
would you"
He said he had done some things in his
life that he ought not to have done, as 9TH
ers have, but the idea of fanything like what
he was charged with never had entered his
mind.